Realistic Fiction U FIC ABD

Does My Head Look Big in This?(2005) follows a young Muslim girl, Amal, who decides to wear the hijab full-time as she navigates the challenges of high school life, including cultural identity, peer pressure, and self-acceptance. Throughout her journey, Amal faces both support and criticism from her friends and family, ultimately learning to embrace her identity and stand proud in her beliefs.

Realistic Fiction U FIC ADA

Not Like Other Girls (2005) centers around a young girl named Hannah, who feels out of place among her peers and struggles with societal expectations of femininity. As she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, Hannah learns to embrace her unique identity and challenges the stereotypes that have confined her.

Realistic Fiction U FIC AHM

This Book Won’t Burn (2024) follows 18-year-old Noor Khan, who, after her father abruptly abandons the family, moves with her mother and sister to a small town in Illinois. There, Noor discovers that the school library is removing hundreds of books, predominantly authored by LGBTQ+ and BIPOC writers, and she becomes determined to fight against this censorship.

Realistic Fiction U FIC ALP

Friday Night Stage Lights (2016) tells the story of a group of high school students working together to put on a theater production. As they face challenges like friendship issues, personal struggles, and the excitement of performing, each character learns more about themselves and what it means to be part of a team. The book explores important themes like self-discovery, the value of hard work, and the joy of storytelling through the ups and downs of putting on a show.

Historical Fiction U FIC ARN 14+

The Blood Years (2023) tells the harrowing yet deeply human story of 13-year-old Frederieke “Rieke” Teitler as she navigates survival amid escalating antisemitism, Soviet then German occupation, and the disintegration of her family in Holocaust-era Czernowitz, Romania. Drawing on the real experiences of Arnold’s grandmother, the novel portrays Rieke’s internal struggle to maintain hope and love in the face of overwhelming loss and moral complexities. 

Dystopian U FIC AVE +13

The Red Queen series, starting in 2015, is a young adult fantasy saga set in a world divided by blood—those with red blood are commoners, while the silver-blooded elite possess supernatural abilities. The series follows Mare Barrow, a red-blooded girl who discovers she has powers of her own, sparking rebellion and political intrigue across multiple novels.

Science Fiction U FIC BAP

Boy 2.0 (2024) follows Win “Coal” Keegan, a 13-year-old boy who discovers he has the ability to turn invisible after a tense encounter involving chalk art and police brutality. As Coal navigates his new foster home and grapples with his newfound powers, he uncovers a conspiracy involving a tech company and confronts the challenges of trust and identity . The novel blends superhero elements with themes of family, race, and resilience, offering a poignant narrative for young readers.

Dystopian U FIC BAR

The Girl Who Drank the Moon (2016) by Kelly Barnhill is a fantasy novel about a young girl named Luna, who is accidentally infused with powerful magic as a baby when a kind witch saves her from abandonment. As Luna grows, she struggles to control her magic while dark secrets about her past and the oppressive society she came from begin to surface. The story weaves themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of hope in overcoming fear and tyranny.

Mystery U FIC BAR 14+

The Brothers Hawthorne (2023) is a young adult mystery novel serving as the fourth installment in The Inheritance Games series. The book follows the enigmatic Hawthorne brothers on a new set of high-stakes challenges.

1. The Inheritance Games (2020)
   
   

2. The Hawthorne Legacy (2021)
   
   

3. The Final Gambit (2022)
   
   

4. The Brothers Hawthorne (2023)
   
   

5. Games Untold: An Inheritance Games Collection (2024)
   
   

6. The Grandest Game (2024)
   
   

7. Glorious Rivals (2025)

Realistic Fiction U FIC BEN

The Thing About Jellyfish (2015) tells the story of a young girl named Suzy who is grappling with the loss of her best friend, Franny. As she navigates her grief, Suzy becomes fascinated by jellyfish and their mysterious nature, believing that a jellyfish sting could explain Franny's accidental drowning. Through her journey, Suzy explores themes of friendship, loss, and the complexities of growing up, ultimately seeking closure and understanding.

Realistic Fiction U FIC BEN

The Next Great Paulie Fink (2019) follows Caitlyn Breen, a seventh grader who becomes the new student at Mitchell School in rural Vermont. When the legendary prankster Paulie Fink mysteriously disappears, the class decides to hold a reality-show-style competition to find his successor, with Caitlyn serving as the judge. As Caitlyn delves into the eccentricities of her classmates and the myth of Paulie, she discovers unexpected truths about herself and the nature of community.

Fiction U FIC BIS

Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up (2023) follows eighth-graders Rory and Abby, whose budding friendship is complicated by a long-standing feud between their fathers, both college basketball coaches. The story delves into themes of family secrets, forgiveness, and the challenges of middle school life, all against the backdrop of college basketball rivalries.

Romance U FIC BOY

Dungeons and Drama (2024) is the story follows Riley Morris, a theater enthusiast who, after a punishment for borrowing her mom's car, ends up working at her father's game store. To save her school's spring musical, she convinces Nathan, a fellow employee, to help her by pretending to date him, leading to unexpected real feelings as they navigate their fake relationship.

Mystersy U FIC BOY 14+

Promise Boys (2023) follows three teenage boys of color—J.B., Ramón, and Trey—who are thrust into a murder investigation after their principal is found dead at their elite prep school. As the prime suspects, they must work together to uncover the real killer, all while confronting systemic issues within the education system.

Historical Fiction U FIC BRA

The Night War (2024) is a historical novel set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. It follows a young Jewish girl, Miriam, who must find the courage to survive and protect others while hiding from the dangers of war. The story highlights bravery, resilience, and the power of hope in the darkest times.

Adventure U FIC BRU

Bird Boy (2024) follows 11-year-old Will, who, after the sudden death of his mother, is sent to live with his estranged uncle in the Lake District. There, he befriends Omar, a refugee from Afghanistan, and together they discover an osprey nest. When a storm causes one of the chicks to fall and injure its wing, Will is determined to save it, leading to a journey of healing and self-discovery for both him and the bird.

Fantasy U FIC BUR 14+

Drown Me with Dreams (2024) is the second installment in the Sing Me to Sleep duology, following Sing Me to Sleep. The story follows Saoirse Sorkova, a siren assassin who is forced to embark on a perilous mission across a magical barrier to save her kingdom, all while grappling with her feelings for King Hayes and confronting political intrigue 

Fantasy U FIC CAR

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) follows a young girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a whimsical, nonsensical world. In Wonderland, she encounters peculiar characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, experiencing bizarre adventures that challenge her understanding of logic and reality. Through these encounters, Alice navigates a fantastical land where the ordinary rules of life are turned upside down, ultimately returning home with a new perspective on imagination and curiosity.

Fantasy U FIC DUP

The City of Ember series is a set of young adult novels. It’s a post-apocalyptic adventure/fantasy series focused on a hidden underground city facing the collapse of its infrastructure.

1/ The City of Ember (2003) 

2/ The People of Sparks (2004)

3/ The Prophet of Yonwood (2006) (prequel)

4/ The Diamond of Darkhold (2008)

Fantasy U FIC DUP

The City of Ember graphic novel, published in 2008, adapts Jeanne DuPrau’s original story into a visual format, bringing the underground city and its characters to life through illustrations. It follows Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet as they uncover clues to save their failing city.

U FIC GAR +14

The Beautiful Creatures series, co-authored by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, is a supernatural romance saga set in the small town of Gatlin, South Carolina. It follows the story of Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes, exploring love, magic, and dark family secrets.

Romance U FIC PAI 14+

Better Than the Movies (2021) is a heartfelt teen rom-com about Liz Buxbaum, a hopeless romantic who teams up with her charming but infuriating neighbor, Wes Bennett, to win over her longtime crush—only to discover that love is more complicated than the movies

Its sequel, Nothing Like the Movies (2024), picks up two years later, following Liz and Wes as they navigate the complexities of young adulthood, rekindling their relationship amidst personal challenges and the realities of life beyond high school.

Horror U FIC PAR 14+

You're Dead to Me (2024) is a young adult horror-thriller. The novel follows Ruby, a scholarship senior at Oleander High School and the anonymous gossip blogger ReputationKiller, who becomes the target of a mysterious killer after a chilling vision of her own ghost in a blood-splattered prom dress.

Dystopian U FIC PAR 14+

Snowglobe (2020) originally published in Korean and later released in English on February 27, 2024. The novel is set in a dystopian society divided between the frigid “Outer World” and the warm, televised “Snowglobe,” following 16-year-old Jeon Chobahm as she navigates social inequality, climate challenges, and her own identity.

Adventure U FIC PAU

The Winter Room (1989) tells the story of two boys growing up on a remote Minnesota farm, exploring the harsh realities of rural life and the bond between family and nature. Through vivid storytelling, the novel captures themes of survival, storytelling, and the passage of time in a harsh winter landscape.

Adventure U FIC PAU

The Hatchet series, is a collection of survival and adventure novels centered around the character Brian Robeson.

1. Hatchet (1987)

2. The River (1991)

3. Brian’s Winter (1996)

4. Brian’s Return (1999)

5. Brian’s Hunt (2003)

Adventure U FIC PAU

Dogsong (1985) follows 14-year-old Russel Susskit, an Inuit boy who embarks on a transformative journey across the Alaskan wilderness with a dog sled team. Guided by the teachings of an elder and haunted by dreams of an ancient warrior, Russel seeks to reconnect with his heritage and discover his own "song" amidst the challenges of nature and self-discovery.

Adventure U FIC PAU

Dancing (1983) is a poignant coming-of-age novel set in a small Minnesota town. The story follows twelve-year-olds Marsh and Willy as they befriend Carl Wenstrom, a reclusive war veteran known for his mesmerizing and mysterious ice skating dance. Through their friendship, they uncover Carl's tragic past, learning profound lessons about love, loss, and the complexities of human experience.

Adventure U FIC PAU

Woodsong (1990) is a memoir that chronicles his experiences as a sled dog musher in Minnesota and Alaska, culminating in his participation in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The book delves into his evolving relationship with nature and animals, highlighting the profound lessons learned from his dogs and the wilderness. 

U FIC PLA

The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn (2023) follows Maudie McGinn, a neurodivergent girl who, during a summer with her father, must confront a troubling secret about her home life while navigating the challenges of a wildfire evacuation and her desire to learn to surf.

Fantasy U FIC PLO 14+

The Worst Perfect Moment (2024) follows Tegan Masters, a sixteen-year-old girl who finds herself in heaven, only to discover it's a replica of the Marybelle Motor Lodge—the site of what she remembers as the worst weekend of her life. With the help of Zelda, a teen angel, Tegan embarks on a journey through her memories to uncover her true happiest moment, exploring themes of self-worth, grief, and identity. The novel has been praised for its balance of humor and poignancy, offering a fresh take on the afterlife and queer romance.

Fantasy U FIC POP 14+

The Dark Within Us (2024) follows Jenny, a homeless teenager who discovers that her soul was stolen by Luc’s father, the ruler of Hell. Teaming up with Luc, a demon with his own troubled past, Jenny embarks on a perilous journey through a modern, corporate-infused underworld to reclaim her soul and confront her inner darkness.

Romance U FIC REY 14+

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now (2024) is a young adult contemporary romance and coming-of-age novel. The book explores the emotional and intimate journey of a teen boy navigating his first major relationship experience, blending humor, tenderness, and stream-of-consciousness. It is praised for its authentic, unfiltered approach to young love and self-discovery.

Realistic Fiction U FIC RHU

Operation Sisterhood (2022) is a lively middle-grade novel packed with music, laughter, and family fun. It follows a girl discovering what it really means to be part of a big, blended household full of sisters and surprises. The story seals the show with its heartwarming mix of creativity, friendship, and the joy of finding your place.

U FIC SUL

The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation (2022) explores a 2019 investigation that claimed Dutch Jewish notary Arnold van den Bergh may have betrayed Anne Frank’s family to the Nazis to protect his own family. The book’s conclusions have been widely debated. Read the book and decide for yourself.

Mystery U FIC SUM 12+

Trust Me, I'm Lying (2014) follows Julep Dupree, a teen con artist and master of disguise, who navigates the challenges of high school while running petty scams for her classmates. Her life takes a turn when she returns home to find her apartment ransacked and her father missing, leading her into a web of family secrets and danger. The novel blends elements of suspense, wit, and romance, appealing to fans of heist stories and teen thrillers.

Mystery U FIC THO +16

The Lady Sherlock series reimagines the classic Sherlock Holmes stories with Charlotte Holmes, a brilliant but unconventional woman solving mysteries in Victorian England. The series blends romance, intrigue, and clever deductions, offering a fresh twist on the beloved detective genre.

1. A Study in Scarlet Women (2016)
   
   

2. A Conspiracy in Belgravia (2017)
   
   

3. The Hollow of Fear (2018)
   
   

4. The Art of Theft (2019)
   
   

5. Murder on Cold Street (2020)
   
   

6. Miss Moriarty, I Presume? (2021)
   
   

7. A Tempest at Sea (2023)
   
   

8. A Ruse of Shadows (2024)